In addition, the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) offers a pocket guide, Diabetes Numbers At-a-Glance, which can be ordered at www.ndep.nih.gov. Both resources utilize current American Diabetes Association (ADA) clinical recommendations for diagnosing and managing diabetes and prediabetes.1

Confirming Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes

Diagnosis must be confirmed unless symptoms are present. Repeat the test using one of the following methods:

Repeat the same test on a different day—preferred.

If two different tests are used—e.g., FPG and A1C—and both indicate diabetes, consider the diagnosis confirmed.

If the two different tests are discordant, repeat the test that is above the diagnostic cut point.

If diagnosis cannot be confirmed using the results of two tests, but at least one test indicates high risk, health care providers may wish to follow the patient closely and retest in 3 to 6 months.1

Comparing Diagnoses

In some people, a blood glucose test may indicate a diagnosis of diabetes even though an A1C test does not.

The reverse can also occur—an A1C test may indicate a diagnosis of diabetes even though a blood glucose test does not.

Because of these variations in test results, health care providers should repeat tests before making a diagnosis. People with differing test results may be in an early stage of the disease, where blood glucose levels have not risen high enough to show on every test.

Acknowledgments

Publications produced by the Clearinghouse are carefully reviewed by both NIDDK scientists and outside experts. This publication was originally reviewed by Randie Little, Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia and David B. Sacks, M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.Path., NIH Clinical Center. The updated version of this publication was reviewed by David Aron, M.D., Louis Stokes Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Another quick-reference tool, Diabetes Numbers At-a-Glance 2012, is offered by the NDEP and is available at www.ndep.nih.gov.

The National Diabetes Education Program is a federally funded program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and includes over 200 partners at the federal, state, and local levels, working together to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes.

The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1978, the Clearinghouse provides information about diabetes to people with diabetes and to their families, health care professionals, and the public. The NDIC answers inquiries, develops and distributes publications, and works closely with professional and patient organizations and Government agencies to coordinate resources about diabetes.

This publication is not copyrighted. The Clearinghouse encourages people to duplicate and distribute as many copies as desired.

This publication may contain information about medications, and, when taken as prescribed, the conditions they treat. When prepared, this publication included the most current information available. For updates or for questions about any medications, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration toll-free at 1–888–INFO–FDA (1–888–463–6332) or visit www.fda.gov. Consult your health care provider for more information.